$1.7M lemon

[ramirami]

http://money.cnn.com/2006/06/14/Auto...ex.htm?cnn=yes


NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - The owner of a Los Angeles car dealership is suing Mercedes-Benz, its parent company DaimlerChrysler, and other affiliates, alleging that a $1.7 million car purchased in 2004 wouldn't run for more than 10 blocks without problems.

The car, a Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK-GTR Limited Edition Roadster, was supposed to be one of only five made. In the lawsuit, the owner of exotic car dealership Grand Prix Motors also alleges that six were actually made, reducing the value of his car.

A two-door sports car, the CLK-GTR has a carbon fiber body and a 6.9-liter 12-cylinder engine enabling it to go from zero to 124 mph in 9.9 seconds. It has a top speed of 198.4 mph. According to the dealership's Web site, the car's intended retail selling price was $2.5 million.

"Unfortunately, the car turned out to be 'exotic' in the worst possible way," dealership owner Mark Johnston said. "When we took it off the lot in 2004 for its first customer test drive, [dealership co-owner Ernest Johnston] drove the car all of 10 blocks with a prospective buyer when the oil light came on. We've been trying to get it fixed ever since, but the Mercedes folks have refused to stand behind the car as promised in our contract."

Additionally, according to Johnston, the car's transmission failed to shift properly, the hydraulic jack system failed and the car's window's came unglued. Mercedes ultimately determined that the car suffered from an oil pressure-related engine failure, the plaintiffs allege, but refused to make any repairs.

"It's unfortunate the defendants have forced us to bring a lawsuit in order to have our contract honored," said Johnston. "We obviously cannot sell the car in its current condition, which right now represents nearly $2 million of scrap metal."

The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK-GTR cannot legally be driven on American streets, said Mercedes-Benz USA spokeswoman Donna Boland. Owners in the United States can only drive the car on a track, she said. She could not otherwise comment on the lawsuit, she said, since the car was purchased directly from Germany and not through Mercedes' U.S. arm.

Mercedes-Benz officials in Germany could not immediately be reached for comment.

The suit seeks a full refund for the purchase price of the car as well as legal fees and other expenses.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by ramirami
http://money.cnn.com/2006/06/14/Auto...ex.htm?cnn=yes


NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - The owner of a Los Angeles car dealership is suing Mercedes-Benz, its parent company DaimlerChrysler, and other affiliates, alleging that a $1.7 million car purchased in 2004 wouldn't run for more than 10 blocks without problems.

The car, a Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK-GTR Limited Edition Roadster, was supposed to be one of only five made. In the lawsuit, the owner of exotic car dealership Grand Prix Motors also alleges that six were actually made, reducing the value of his car.

A two-door sports car, the CLK-GTR has a carbon fiber body and a 6.9-liter 12-cylinder engine enabling it to go from zero to 124 mph in 9.9 seconds. It has a top speed of 198.4 mph. According to the dealership's Web site, the car's intended retail selling price was $2.5 million.

"Unfortunately, the car turned out to be 'exotic' in the worst possible way," dealership owner Mark Johnston said. "When we took it off the lot in 2004 for its first customer test drive, [dealership co-owner Ernest Johnston] drove the car all of 10 blocks with a prospective buyer when the oil light came on. We've been trying to get it fixed ever since, but the Mercedes folks have refused to stand behind the car as promised in our contract."

Additionally, according to Johnston, the car's transmission failed to shift properly, the hydraulic jack system failed and the car's window's came unglued. Mercedes ultimately determined that the car suffered from an oil pressure-related engine failure, the plaintiffs allege, but refused to make any repairs.

"It's unfortunate the defendants have forced us to bring a lawsuit in order to have our contract honored," said Johnston. "We obviously cannot sell the car in its current condition, which right now represents nearly $2 million of scrap metal."

The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK-GTR cannot legally be driven on American streets, said Mercedes-Benz USA spokeswoman Donna Boland. Owners in the United States can only drive the car on a track, she said. She could not otherwise comment on the lawsuit, she said, since the car was purchased directly from Germany and not through Mercedes' U.S. arm.

Mercedes-Benz officials in Germany could not immediately be reached for comment.

The suit seeks a full refund for the purchase price of the car as well as legal fees and other expenses.

Just one small example of how you lose warranty when you buy grey market cars.

[ecsw]

[jl_ss]

It's a mercedes - you gotta expect a few problems.

[5Gs]

Originally posted by jl_ss
It's a mercedes - you gotta expect a few problems.

2 coworkers of mine who have/had mercedes swear to never buy one again!

[ecsw]

my boss' brand new SL500 doesn't not take Premium gas (91 or up). Once it's fill with Premium, it DOES NOT start. Only regular gas can get the car started and running.

Dealer can not find the reason.

He sold it and got himself an AMG SL55.

[SRSEN1999]

I was at the local bookstore by the house reading the car magazine where none of the MB vehicles receive any recommendations for the buyers.

[Bill Balmer]

Any real Mercedes afficianado will tell you that quality really went downhill since the '80's. The '90's and early 2000's were horrible in many respects - especially the newly introduced models like the M class. many people who had their first Mercedes during this time period have sworn them off, and with good reason. However, they are making strides in returning the shine to the three-pointed star and things are looking better.

The SL500 only running on regular unleaded sounds like an engine management problem. The computer is not advancing the spark properly. I hope the dealer gave him a full refund and a good deal on the AMG.

As far as the CLK-GTR goes, Mercedes does not export that car to the US. Their official position is that gray market cars do not exist and they do not provide support for them. You can't really fault them for refusing to provide a warranty in a market where they don't even sell the car.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by Bill Balmer
You can't really fault them for refusing to provide a warranty in a market where they don't even sell the car.

Stop the presses!

Bill B. comes down on the side if the "big evil corporation" and against the "poor consumer"!

Wait, maybe someone has spoofed his account!

(Or maybe he is becoming a closet republican!)

[ramirami]

a thread that was meant to be a funny item... has now deteriorated into a political mudslinging with personal attacks

[jay]

Originally posted by ramirami
a thread that was meant to be a funny item... has now deteriorated into a political mudslinging with personal attacks

It seems it doesn't take much anymore for a couple of posters to drift into it.

[ramirami]

Originally posted by jay
It seems it doesn't take much anymore for a couple of posters to drift into it.

drift is not the issue... its the personal attacks...

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by N_Jay


(Or maybe he is becoming a closet republican!)

I'm sorry, should have put a few at the end.

Maybe instead of thinking of it as a "personal attack" you could think of it as a compliment!

[ramirami]

Originally posted by N_Jay

Maybe instead of thinking of it as a "personal attack" you could think of it as a compliment!

Not talking about what political philosophy is better/worse... just suggesting that lets keep the political discussion on the political threads...

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by ramirami



Not talking about what political philosophy is better/worse... just suggesting that lets keep the political discussion on the political threads...

OK, I take back the political reference.

Please replace "Closet Republican" with "Closet Smith-ian Economist"